IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2008) – Haskell & White LLP (www.hwcpa.com), one of Southern California’s largest independently owned accounting, auditing and tax consulting firms, once again was recognized as a top contributor to the local arts community, receiving its fifth Distinguished Achievement Award and seventh award in total at the 27th Annual Business In The Arts Awards in Newport Beach.
Hosted by the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, the annual Business In The Arts presentations salute outstanding commitment, participation and innovation of local companies on behalf of the region’s cultural organizations. Recipients and guests mingled on Sunday, Nov. 23, at Newport Beach Marriott Hotel for a reception and presentation of awards to 14 Orange County companies, followed by dinner at the Ritz Restaurant and Garden.
Wayne Pinnell, managing partner, and Rick Smetanka, partner-in-charge of audit and business advisory services, accepted the award on behalf of Haskell & White.
“The arts play a vital role in the Orange County community’s quality of life,” said Pinnell. “As part of Haskell & White’s corporate culture, we believe that companies and firms have a responsibility to enhance and support the community at large, and we remain committed to seeing the arts continue to thrive in Orange County.”
Professionals from Orange County’s business and arts communities served as judges, selecting winners based on contribution of financial and in-kind support; quality and scope of the support program; volunteer involvement of company personnel; impact of support on the arts organization, the community and the company itself; and creative uses of the arts within the company.
“We are proud to continue the tradition that our founding partners started of supporting the arts in Orange County,” added Smetanka. “It is an honor to be recognized alongside all of these other great and deserving organizations.”
Haskell & White’s contributions to the arts in Orange County included performance sponsorships, professional services in the tax and audit arenas, and service on Boards of Directors of non-profit arts organizations. Once again, Haskell & White sponsored performances at Laguna Playhouse, South Coast Repertory and Irvine Barclay Theater. Haskell & White’s initial involvement in the local arts community began in the 1990s, with a working relationship with Laguna Playhouse. The firm’s support later expanded to other local arts organizations, such as South Coast Repertory, Irvine Barclay Theater, and Saint Joseph Ballet, among others.
About Haskell & White LLP
Haskell & White LLP is one of the largest independently owned accounting, auditing and tax consulting firms in Southern California, specializing in servicing public and private middle-market companies. With locations in Irvine and San Diego, Haskell & White combines the expansive services, knowledge, experience and reach of national and international accounting firms with the personal attention, responsiveness and value of a local organization. Haskell & White works with companies in a broad range of industries including real estate, manufacturing, distribution, technology, and retail. The firm provides solid expertise and services to its clients in the tax and audit disciplines, including advising SEC registrants and consulting on mergers and acquisitions. Further information on Haskell & White can be found on the firm’s website, www.hwcpa.com.